2 bodies found in 2 Dayton houses; person of interest named in deaths of Mansfield couple

The bodies of a missing Mansfield couple were found days apart in different vacant houses in Dayton, and police said a man being held on a weapons charge is a person of interest.

Todd Burkhart, 28, and Kyla Hayton, 21, were reported missing on Nov. 16 from Mansfield. Burkhart’s body was found Friday night in a West Stewart Street house. On Monday, officers discovered Hayton’s body in another vacant house on the same street.

Hayton was five months pregnant, according to Burkhart’s older sister Courtney Burkhart.

Coroner’s investigators determined both deaths were homicides, and Dayton Police Lt. Jason Hall said Larry Rodgers is a person of interest. Officers arrested Rodgers on Friday for having a weapon as a convicted felon.

The driver’s side window was busted in. Some of the couple’s clothes were strewn about outside the car on the ground.

Dayton police said belongings of the missing Mansfield couple were found in the area, including behind the house in the wooded area.

Family members of Hayton and Todd Burkhart said the two dropped off Hayton’s daughter Nov. 16 in Columbus. They were supposed to return for the child on Nov. 17. They have not been seen since.

Relatives told Mansfield police they may have been trying to get a gun in Dayton for protection, a report stated.

Hayton was reported missing at the beginning of last week, and was believed to be with Burkhart. He had been reported missing to Ashland police by his sister, but had been living in Mansfield, police said.

Courtney Burkhart said the couple told everyone they were going to Columbus and, as far as she knew, her brother didn’t know anyone in Dayton.

Dayton police said Burkhart and Rodgers were “acquaintances.” Todd Burkhart served seven years in prison for burglary and attempted arson, and Courtney Burkhart said she thought the two men met in prison.